Black day being observed against caricatures today
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LAHORE: Religiopolitical groups of all schools of thought are observing Friday (today) as a black day against the French magazine which republished blasphemous caricatures of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The Tehreek Hurmat-i-Rasool, a conglomerate of 20 plus groups, Jamaat-i-Islami, Jamatud Dawa, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F, Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, Sunni Tehreek and Sunni Ittehad Council also announced on Thursday launching a countrywide protest movement against the publication.
The movement will begin with a grand protest at Chauburji in the provincial metropolis after Friday prayers.
Tehreek Hurmat-i-Rasool chief Maulana Amir Hamza said if 40 European countries could unite to show solidarity with the journal, all 57 Muslim countries should also unite for safeguarding the sanctity of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
He urged the leaders of all the Muslim countries to demand an international law against the blasphemy that hurt feelings of over 1.5bn people worldwide.
JuD emir Hafiz Saeed called upon the Ulema to sensitise the people through Friday sermons of the blasphemous acts and conspiracies of Christians and Jews against Islam and hold peaceful protests outside mosques after the prayers.
JUI-F’s Maulana Amjad Khan calls for convening a Muslim leaders’ conference.
JI emir Sirajul Haq also announced a countrywide protest against the publication while speaking to party leaders in Peshawar.
PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri demanded a meeting of the OIC as well as urging the UN, European Union and French government to take notice of the blasphemy which had nothing to do with the freedom of expression as the heinous act had violated fundamental rights of the Muslims.
Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2015
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Comments (66) Closed
Jan 16, 2015 10:00am
A strong peaceful protest
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Jan 16, 2015 10:01am
They have all right to protest against Charlie Hebdo republishing the cartoon again, the reason they are able to protest is FREE SPEECH.
Let us all support FREE SPEECH.
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Jan 16, 2015 10:04am
Nothing constructive.
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Jan 16, 2015 10:09am
I am for the cause, but not with these people !
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Jan 16, 2015 10:12am
Here we go again! Shops will be ransacked and burnt down, things broken down, all in the name of protests and religion. And during all this time, Charlie Hebdo will watch and smile that they can wreck havoc in Muslim countries by printing these caricatures. Btw, it is amazing that we do not see any protests in Saudi Arabia, UAE etc. the champions and guardians of Islam.
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Jan 16, 2015 10:13am
This should not be limited to religious group but all Muslims Pakistanis should join the peaceful demonstration. Let's all be in the forefront not only religious leaders.
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Jan 16, 2015 10:23am
At this rate we'll soon end up with all seven days a week as black days and that might be a decent way of tackling global warming.
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Jan 16, 2015 10:24am
West's uncontrolled freedom of speech is radicalizing Muslim societies and embarrassing the limited liberal sections.
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Jan 16, 2015 10:26am
"He urged the leaders of all the Muslim countries to demand an international law against the blasphemy that hurt feelings of over 1.5bn people worldwide."
... Always one-sided. How about demanding action against terrorists who hurt the feelings of 7bn people worldwide, and worse, through killings?
"JuD emir Hafiz Saeed called upon the Ulema to sensitise the people through Friday sermons of the blasphemous acts and conspiracies of Christians and Jews against Islam and hold peaceful protests outside mosques after the prayers."
... Always one-sided. When terrorists preach their version of jihad, or kill children, or strap on a suicide vest and go into a market, they are not called Muslims. But when a newspaper publishes offensive material, it is a conspiracy of Christians and Jews.
Please start looking in both directions.
J
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Jan 16, 2015 10:29am
I wish Pakistanis would go on the street to demonstrate against the murder of thousands in Nigeria, Iraq and Syria in those days. I think there is much more honour to defend there...
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Jan 16, 2015 10:36am
Indonesia with the highest Muslims in the world, Malaysia, Singapore, and the ex Soviet Muslim countries, have not reacted much to the caricatures, shows how tolerant and peaceful they are, compare to Pakistan.
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Jan 16, 2015 10:36am
We will have to remember that all western countries are developed because they allow people to express their views without intimidation. Its their basic right. Any no of demonstrations or fatal attacks will change this. Instead just ignore them.
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Jan 16, 2015 10:37am
We should be protecting our religion by being more tolerant. That Paris incident had led to more blasphemies. Who is responsible now?
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Jan 16, 2015 10:46am
Will Agree! But the protest shall be peaceful same as in Paris
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Jan 16, 2015 11:01am
The best way to protest is for all Muslims to leave France and migrate to Islamic countries. Only if french people cry and stop you by apologizing for the provocative pictures, should the Muslims stay back.
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Jan 16, 2015 11:02am
Jobless mullah's are playing with the sentiments of the religious belief . This will not do any good to Islam or those who believe in Islam . It will only divide the people.
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Jan 16, 2015 11:10am
@sk speak only for yourself. I am not affected by cartoons or carcatures which I can choose not to see.
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Jan 16, 2015 11:11am
WHY IS IT??Physical violence is a crime but emotional violence not a crime, just because former is measurable and latter is unmeasurable.Emotional violence should not be done in the name of freedom of expression.
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Jan 16, 2015 11:11am
I wonder, why they couldn't this kind of procession when children mascaraed in Peshawar ?
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Jan 16, 2015 11:17am
All Muslims should as a act of protest stop residing in European countries where they are rightful citizens, resign their citizenship of these countries and return to their country of origin. Their is more honor in doing so.
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Jan 16, 2015 11:18am
@Babar they don't do it for their own and you think they would do it for others. 1.5 millin came to the streets in Paris how many turned up for 142 killed in Peshawar?
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Jan 16, 2015 11:21am
They have all right in the world to protest.
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Jan 16, 2015 11:26am
pls observe black day for ppl dying in pakistan by same people who killed cartoonist....
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Jan 16, 2015 11:29am
I am an Indian Hindu. I support these parties in their protest. Nobody has the right to hurt the religious feelings of other people just in the name of freedom of speech. Even Pope Francis gave this statement yesterday. Freedom of speech is a great thing. But that should be used keeping in mind the feelings of people. These caricatures of the Prophet must be stopped. There are so many other topics in the world based on which caricatures can be done. But not with Gods and Prophets.
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Jan 16, 2015 11:33am
Can Islam or prophet be insulted by cartoons and cartoonists? The answer is - Never. Can someone insult the Sun? Islam is not at a small thing that can be insulted by anyway. Sadly, these type of reactions are projecting Islam in smaller light and also giving wrong view of intolerance. The superior never reacts cheaply. The silence is the permanent answer to all criticism.
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Jan 16, 2015 11:36am
A women throw trash on to Mohammad PBUH. Did companions of Mohammad PBUH killed her?
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Jan 16, 2015 11:48am
West is creating more problems by inciting Muslims in the name of free press instead of creating the atmosphere more acceptable to all the religions.
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Jan 16, 2015 11:50am
These demonstrators were silent when the journalist of Charlie Hebdo were killed..
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Jan 16, 2015 11:54am
@Urooj Saifi
I wish all Pakistanis rally against terrorism and extremism first!!
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Jan 16, 2015 12:00pm
A peaceful protest is a birth right to put forward ones point. But a similar protest should be held for the 2500 innocent nigerian including men, women, children, old, ill, patients etc lost their lives in the worst kind of terror attack in recent human history
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Jan 16, 2015 12:01pm
Pakistan is the most intolerant society, compare to Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and the ex-Soviet blocks. Even some of the Middle-East countries have not reacted much.
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Jan 16, 2015 12:02pm
right strong n peaceful protest across the nation
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Jan 16, 2015 12:03pm
ISLAM is not fragile to get insulted by cartoonists. Cartoonists wanted to gain footage for a struggling newspaper which would gone into oblivion. By killing those journos monsters have resurrected the dying newspaper. By organizing the protests people are only making the purpose of those attention seekers stronger. The more you do it the more attention they get . Ignore it and there will be none to do it any more.
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Jan 16, 2015 12:04pm
@sk sad that few others can control the action of billions
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Jan 16, 2015 12:10pm
Show some maturity. Don't react cheaply. Show that you understand the depth of Islam. Your understanding will make others understand true Islam.
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Jan 16, 2015 12:20pm
The government of Saudi Arabia, as protector of main mosque, can protest against blaspheme at UN or international courts. Pakistan govt can join the issue. They can oppose France too. That is the right way. Cold-blooded murder is not correct.
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Jan 16, 2015 12:21pm
Freedom of Speech has absolutely NO room to insult others' religion.
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Jan 16, 2015 12:25pm
If Hindus have right to protest against pk film as film hurt their religious sentiments , similarly Muslims have right to protest all around world.No one should allowed to insult others,there are limits to the freedom of speech, But killing is NOT allowed !
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Jan 16, 2015 12:30pm
It is highly important that Muslim countries must bee on the same page against caricatures meant to hurt Muslims' feeling around the world. They should through the platform of OIC bring France and Germany to the debate on freedom of expression. If they win let them continue with what they calling so-called free speech but if they lose then they must renounce such kinds of crimes which hurt feelings of any human being. Good to hear from Pope that freedom of speech has limits when it comes to faiths.
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Jan 16, 2015 12:30pm
@M : True followers of Islam dont need to protest on these matters - they just need to ignore....
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Jan 16, 2015 12:38pm
Why don't these Mulla's march against those terrorists who killed sixty thousands Pakistsnis ?
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Jan 16, 2015 12:38pm
@Dr Rajiv
then why there was country wide protest in India over film PK?
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Jan 16, 2015 12:46pm
"PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri demanded a meeting of the OIC as well as urging the UN, European Union and French government to take notice of the blasphemy which had nothing to do with the freedom of expression as the heinous act had violated fundamental rights of the Muslims."
Protesting an offensive cartoon is legitimate but does not justify killings. That's what you should be preaching. Regarding rest of your demands, don't try to pretend as if the world revolves around your brand of Islam.
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Jan 16, 2015 12:56pm
The best way to control the world is by controlling one's own mind. Therewill be always someone in this world whether known-one or anonymous, who provokes. It cannot be stopped. Thats why it is always advised to learn to control one's own mind and not fall for the designs, good or bad, of those who provoke. It seems no-one is willing to learn to control themselves but expect everyone else to adhere to their dictations. No reason, the world is so mad as it is today.
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Jan 16, 2015 12:57pm
Sorry religion isn't above criticism and satire. period
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Jan 16, 2015 01:00pm
Pakistan is only islamic country in this world? No other islamic country opposing this Why? Religion is personal issue so all people should behave respectfully to all religion.
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Jan 16, 2015 01:09pm
Stop buying all EU products specially France,Denmark and all over the world specially in Pakistan
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Jan 16, 2015 01:13pm
The terrorism in its current form has killed mainly Muslims and yet Islam is being blamed for this. Let's not make terrorism an Islamic thing but a social problem. May Allah guide us all
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Jan 16, 2015 01:14pm
@sk and Muslim countries control on free speech is fuelling hate and social collapse
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Jan 16, 2015 01:14pm
@Babar well said!
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Jan 16, 2015 01:16pm
This is simply diverting the public's attention from their own actions that do nothing but discredit and show this religion is a negative light............they should lead by example not by protests.
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Jan 16, 2015 01:19pm
just asking- If this protest has been led but common people and not by likes of "Hafiz saeed", shouldn't it had been more influential worldwide..? How can people like Hafiz saeed be allowed to hijack one's religion. Anyway its right of people to protest and freedom of expression too. But it is times like this that my respect for Indonesia increases, not because they are not protesting but because they have kept fanatics away from their religion and its people who decide when and where to protest.
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Jan 16, 2015 01:21pm
A step backward. Instead of debating about the massacre of more than 100 children killed in Peshawar in the name of Islam, these people are talking about offense from a cartoon. The Prophet forgave...who has given us the right to play God.
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Jan 16, 2015 01:25pm
Strong condemnation I see for something so trivial, and yet there has been a drought of any coherent protest by these same religious groups against the murders of more than 50000 people by those fascists Taliban and their cohorts. And again they will burn down shops and cinema halls just because they have impunity due to our govts inefficiency. When will our people stop following these crazies and follow sane people?
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Jan 16, 2015 01:34pm
@Raja no protests in india, only a few silly people protested. PK has already done a business of more than 500 crores in India.
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Jan 16, 2015 01:47pm
Once more much furore without anyone actually having seen the cartoon. Previous cartoons could rightly be termed offensive and unnecessary, but the single cartoon on the front page of charlie hebdo after the attack is not offensive. It attempts to portray the prophet (pbuh) as an empathic and forgiving person who wouæd be saddened by the senseless violence committed in his name. As far I'm concerned this is a more true picture of him than the violent and petty picture some mullahs prefer to portray.
In any case it is unintelligent to protest something one has not seen and evaluated one self.
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Jan 16, 2015 01:50pm
@Urooj Saifi I don't understand why demean someone's god? Dont they have anything better to draw a cartoon out of. I would feel the same way Muslims are feeling if my god is insulted. Freedom of expression my foot.
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Jan 16, 2015 01:59pm
Everyone has a right to peaceful protest so I support what they do as long as it's peaceful. We should remind the west that there should be some ethical and moral limits to freedom of speech.
Did these people also protest when a Christian couple was burnt alive? I did not see any so this is hypocritical to say the least. Same accusation we level at the magazine.
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Jan 16, 2015 02:10pm
@Sourabh : I draw and Paint as well and I refuse to abide by your "LAW". I do not want anyone to tell me what to draw and what not to .
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Jan 16, 2015 02:11pm
@Atiq Yes, but they would be better to IGNORE it as us Christians do. Many many Cartoons of Jesus. Turn the other cheek.
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Jan 16, 2015 02:15pm
totally un-productive way to go about something while the magazine makes 10 million euros!
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Jan 16, 2015 02:19pm
I strongly condemn the deranged fanatics who took 12 innocent lives in what they perceived as a defense of their faith. But I won't say "Je Suis Charlie". I am not Charlie. I cannot identify with the people who drew those cartoons. I am all for the use of cartoons and satire as a catalyst to bring about social change, but I don't think that's what the Charlie Hebdo cartoons were about. Did those cartoons actually make some extremists sit up and think about changing the way they practice their religion, or did they merely serve as perverse entertainment for Islamophobic people? The intent behind the cartoon is important.
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Jan 16, 2015 02:21pm
The same rights that Charlie Hebdo claims, is also applicable to any of these religious parties, provided that it is not violent.Ultimately it takes all kinds of people to fill up this world.
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Jan 16, 2015 02:41pm
These religious parties are hypocrites. Allow me to demonstrate:
1) Its sad that one month into the events of last month (remember 16th december), our focus has shifted already. where were all these religious parties, when those events happened. Did they come out an condemn those actions? I did not see any protests from the right wing during that event, or any similar event.
2) Recently a Chinese province outlawed the burkha. While the move may be debated, why hasn't there been public outcry about that? Remember when France was debating the veil, how much public outcry there was?
Opinion?
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Jan 16, 2015 02:51pm
This is the right kind of protest - assuming it does not lead to any violence or silencing someone else's rights...I do agree both with Free Speech and self-imposed discipline and respect to others' sensitivities
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Jan 16, 2015 02:55pm
@Raja
There was no country wide protest.
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